Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverts

Quiet Power:  The Secret Strengths of Introverts by Susan Cain with Gregory Mone and Erica Moroz        Audio Book: 6 hours, 30 mins     Hardback Book:  288 pages             

Good book.   It explains a lot of things about why people are introverts or extroverts, the differences between them and why teachers should not hassle introvert students for not participating but should allow them to participate in ways that function with their psychological leanings.    Many introverts are overwhelmed being around loud busy sensory over-stimulated circumstances and simply prefer to recharge themselves mentally by having time alone to relax away from all the noise and activity to devote themselves to their own projects they are passionate about.    While some people are happier being around a crowd the more the merrier, introverts tend to have a good time with just one other or just a few friends.    They thrive in their comfort zone but become quiet and withdrawn oftentimes in visually or audibly or both situations where other people may be playing loud music or there is a lot of activity going on at once – think when the bell rings and you are between classes and everyone is trying to be heard over the din of noise in the hallways at school.   Introverts tend to spend time on their own or while they may be part of a group they have to find time to just be alone now and then in order to regroup and come back and be a part of all that may be happening in their lives.    It is not a bad thing for introverts to seek solace in their own comfortable space alone.   They may enjoy reading, they may enjoy gaming, they may like the quiet of enjoying some down time just to get away from all the hubbub of a day in the life.   It is O.K. scientists and psychologists have found that it is a prerequisite of the introverted personality to require time alone to recharge themselves.    To mentally seek quiet away from the mental and emotional overload going on around them.    Introverts have been found to be much more susceptible to others emotions and find loud noises far more bothersome as their sensitivity to stimulus outside their bodies is far more keen than their extrovert or ambivert fellow humans.   In order to stay happy and well, introverts need quiet time without harassment in order to clear their minds and shake off all the rowdiness of their peers, family and friends.    Introverts often grow up feeling “different” or that something is wrong because they don’t process things the way others around them do and are often ostracized or bullied for it.    As adults introverts continue to need time alone to mellow out from all the overwhelming ways things come at them in a day, but, this is not a bad thing, it is just in keeping with their higher sensitivity levels and should be handled in a way that is comfortable and comforting for them.   Once they have recharged, they are back in the game ripping and ready to go.   This book is geared to teenagers but holds true for adults as well.   It also speaks to parents of introverts and teachers of students that are introverts to explain why they need alone time and how best to address the facts that these young people are fine they just need to be accepted.   Teachers shouldn’t push them to participate in discussions more or lower their grades for not speaking aloud  as introverts aren’t comfortable with speaking up in class although they may be excellent students otherwise.  Introverts tend to be good at researching topics and writing papers but not necessarily good at group projects.   It isn’t bad, it is just their way of coping as quiet people in a loud society.   Parents, too, need to realize their kids are maybe showing the personality of being outgoing to the world but need down time in their rooms when they get home to process and clear their minds of all the stresses they have to deal with at school.   Kind of like parents coming home after a hard day at work where maybe things went a drift and then the parent gets home and the kids are fighting and screaming and they go off because they just needed a little time to cool off and de-stress but are met with more hyperness.    Everyone needs a little down time.   Introverts just need a little more.     Great book and I love the real-life stories and situations cited here to help young folks realize they are not alone and there is nothing amiss – they just pick up on things with finite sensitivity it isn’t that they are overreacting it is just how they process.    Things hit them harder and once they understand that they can learn to use this gift to their highest benefit.    Ways to channel are explained here too and ways others use their gift to excelerate their learning, their perceptions by others and their work life are shared.   This book is an essential learning tool for introverts of all ages.   Very ind-depth material covered in a pleasing easy to read and understand format.   Excellent book.